Have you been contemplating or wondering whether or not a Turtle can eat Blueberries. Turtles are considered to be calm and stress-free pets. However, you must be extraordinarily careful about what you feed them. Blueberries are known to be a great treat, especially in the summer. They are succulent and nutritious. Additionally, they have a sweet flavor.
Can Turtles Eat Blueberries?
Yes, turtles can eat blueberries, but you have to take note of how much you give them. Although blueberries are known to be of great help to them. However, too many blueberries can lead to a large amount of sugar in the body system which can cause harm like digestive or kidney problems and growth issues to your turtle. In the wild, turtles do not feed on sweet fruit because their body can’t digest and metabolize them easily. A small quantity of blueberries once or twice a month is safe. You can also mix blueberries with other berries or other fruit like apples, bananas, lettuce, etc.
Nature of Turtles
Turtles are omnivores in nature, and they are also known to be quiet, shy, and harmless creatures yet they display intelligence. They have access to varieties of fish and live animals to eat in the wild. But in captivity, things are entirely different for them. You can feed them worms, cooked meats, shrimp, crickets, feeder fish, sardines, and turtle pellets. But make sure no preservative is applied to their food, as this can cause harm to their health.
NOTE: Baby turtles need more protein than adults, but when they reach 10 years you can endorse their diet with more veggies.
Health Benefits of Blueberries for Turtles
Blueberries can be of numerous benefits to turtles after consumption. The benefits are:
- It improves and protects their eyesight
- It also helps to keep kidney stones and urinary tract infections at bay
- Blueberries can also boost turtle's immune system and makes them stronger
- It nourishes their skin and makes their shell look more shiny and attractive.
- It makes their bones stronger
- It also maintains a good and healthy cardiovascular system.
Generally, Blueberries are so sweet in flavor and can make turtles feel more energetic. it improves and maintains the overall body system of turtles.
Pros of eating Blueberries for Turtles
No matter how beneficial a substance can be, there will be few side effects of it. Here are the side effects of feeding large quantities of Blueberries to turtles:
- It can cause indigestion if it is too much in their body system
- It can block their intestines
- The fiber can cause weight loss and frequent stool for turtles on a diet
- It can cause diarrhea which can lead to minerals and water loss from the body
- Too much of blueberries consumed by turtles can increase their sugar level
- It can cause metabolic bone disease if the number of calcium increases in their diet
- It can put their central nervous system in danger due to vitamin toxicity.
Nutrients in Blueberries for turtles
BLueberries contain vitamins that positive impact on the health of turtles. They help boost their immune system and improve their eyes and respiration functions.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of the most vital vitamins for turtles. It improves their eyesight and respiratory organs. It also strengthens the development of healthy skin and mucous membranes.
Lack of vitamin A in your turtle body system will demote the functions of the organs which can lead to issues like Hypervitaminosis A.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a great nutrient that can be found in blueberries, research makes us know that vitamin C prevents turtles from any form of infections and allergies, Additionally, it also boosts the turtle’s immune system.
Other nutrients that can be found in blueberries are:
Protein, Sugar, Potassium, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Iron, Calcium, Manganese, copper, and vitamin B6.
How to prepare blueberries for turtles
The skin and pulps are both safe for your pets but make sure you moderate the portion.
- Rinse the blueberries
- Cut them into halves
- Remove the seeds
- Serve it in a clean pet container to avoid contamination
- Now you can feed them.
Things to consider when feeding your turtles with Blueberries
If you feed your turtles blueberries frequently, be ready to face some complications
High pesticide content
Blueberries are considered to be a fruit that abhors pesticides, it was reported that over 50 different pesticide residues can be found in blueberries. But the same study make us know that frozen blueberries were less contaminated.
High Acidic Content
This fruit is known to contain citric, malic, and quinic acids. And all these acids can be harmful to your turtle's health. If it consumes large amounts of blueberries, the acids can affect the digestive tract’s PH balance, it can as well wipe out the good bacteria in the body which can weaken the immune system. Due to the weak immune system toxins will have access to enter the bloodstream. In short, this can lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome.
High Sugar Content
It is considered that blueberries contain glucose and fructose, these are known to cause cholesterol spikes and insulin resistance in turtles. The taste of the fruit is great, however, your turtle isn’t well suited to digest and metabolize them. And sugar can as well cause an upset stomach.
Lack of development
If you indulge your turtles with delicious, sweet snacks. They will be so familiar with the taste, which can make them desire the sweet taste every time and make them away from veggies and greens. Along the line, malnutrition or obesity can occur – which can deprive your turtle’s growth and development.
Can I feed my turtles with blueberry plants and stems?
No, it is too risky for turtles to consume blueberry plants and stems. They contain tannins and some diuretic compounds. These components are recipients of pesticides and fertilizers.
Can I feed my turtles with seeds?
Seeds contain a small amount of cyanide. No studies are yet to point out the effects of cyanic acid in turtles, but this so-called acid impedes blood hemoglobin from joining with oxygen.
Conclusions
Turtles can certainly eat blueberries in moderate quantity. Feeding them once or twice in a month won’t do any harm to them. This fruit consists of some beneficial nutrients like calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C.
